Blog

  • Amanda Segel to Write ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off ‘10,000 Ships’

    Amanda Segel to Write ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off ‘10,000 Ships’

    HBO is busy producing its first spin-off based on its popular Game of Thrones series, House of the Dragons. It will explore the time long before the events that started in Winterfell. Yet, they have realized there is a lot of franchise potential to explore the different timelines and locations throughout its history. They are developing three other series titled Tales of Dunk and Egg, 9 Voyages, and 10,000 Ships. It looks like the latter of the series has entered some form of production, as Deadline uncovered that Amanda Segel, the co-executive producer of Helstrom and Person of Interest, will write the project titled 10,000 Ships. It will focus on the story of Princess Nymeria and her journey from Essos to Dorne.

    We’ve spent some time on the sea in various Game of Thrones episodes, but a full series focusing on it could be quite a curious challenge. HBO is moving forward with its various spin-offs with The Mentalist‘s Bruno Heller tackling the 9 Voyages project. It also may also run by the title Sea Snake and Flea Bottom. George R.R. Martin is also involved with the project’s development. There is still no further news on Tales of Dunk & Egg or the rumored animated series. It’ll be curious how they will release these series as we could see them switch out between them similar to how Disney+ goes from one series into the next. The expansion will continue to grow the history of Westeros in curious ways without relying on the original’s cast.

    Source: Deadline

  • CW’s CEO Opens Up About Failed ‘Powerpuff’ Pilot

    CW’s CEO Opens Up About Failed ‘Powerpuff’ Pilot

    It isn’t an easy process to get a brand new TV series. You have to pitch the concept to the production company, they then sign off on a pilot that would act as a proof of concept. It doesn’t get an early series announcement until that is signed off and commonly, the back nine episodes only are given if the show manages to garner an audience. Not every show gets a second chance, but CW’s live-action adaptation of the Powerpuff Girls got just that. Also, in an uncommon move, CW’s CEO, Mark Pedowitz, gave some insight on the move to rework the pilot.

    The reason we do pilots is sometimes things miss, this was just a miss. We believe in the cast completely, we believe in Diablo and Heather, the writers… in this case, the pilot didn’t.

    It is uncertain what was the cause for this decision, but he did confirm that it was too “campy” and felt out of place. It doesn’t help that there was a leaked script that may have hinted at the direction the original version of the pilot took. The series has a strong cast with the main trio being portrayed Chloe Bennet, Dove Cameron, and Yana Perreault. They will portray the once superheroic sisters that are in their twenties and disillusioned with the world. Their resentment for having wasted their childhood fighting monsters left them bitter in a world filled with modern technology. Sadly, we might never see the original pilot, but Pedowitz confirmed that they want to stay true to what made the original so popular and we will certainly see this live-action series at some point.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Production Shifts Location

    ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Production Shifts Location

    Earlier this year we shared the news that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was set to film this coming Fall in London. James Gunn confirmed a UK shoot in March in the tweet below, but as we know, when it comes to movie production timelines and locations, nothing is final until the shoot begins.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1369427359170957320?s=19

    We have learned that the third and apparently final Gunn-led Guardians film is now on track to be one of 3 MCU productions to film in Atlanta this Fall. Gunn is scheduled to complete filming on the HBO Max series Peacemaker, currently shooting in British Columbia, sometime next month and will have plenty of time for post-production on that series before getting going on Vol. 3 before 2021 comes to a close. Gunn will also be filming the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special during this time which may be why they’ll get cameras rolling so early relative to their current release date.

  • New ‘American Horror’ Story Spin-Off Set Photos Offer First Look at Danny Trejo and Charles Melton

    New ‘American Horror’ Story Spin-Off Set Photos Offer First Look at Danny Trejo and Charles Melton

    One of the best parts of American Horror Story is its ability to constantly reinvent itself every season, keeping around familiar faces, while remaining fresh and inventive. What started with a haunted house moved on to a slasher-infested campground or the end of the world. Now, the series aims to do so each episode with its anthology spin-off titled American Horror Stories. We previously reported that the series would kick off with yet another return to the Murder House. It’ll introduce a new set of characters daring to journey within, but now we have more insight into other episodes

    New photos from the series’ set reveal that the production has set up shop at the Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, California. What’s stands out is that the mall has been completely redecorated for what seems to be a Christmas-themed episode. First spotted by fans, actors Dany Trejo and Charles Melton appear to be the big stars of this episode. Trejo seems to be playing a mall Santa, who could be the main threat that Melton‘s character faces. It isn’t the actor’s first time on AHS, as he previously had a guest appearance in the Hotel storyline. Here is a closer look at both actors on set

     

    Trejo’s role in the upcoming episode wouldn’t be the first time the series has seen a psychotic Santa. In the second season, episode “Holy Night” introduced us to Leigh Emerson. The episode opened in 1962 with Leigh murdering a charity collection Santa, stealing his costume, and proceeding to go on a killing spree. Could Trejo‘s character be inspired by those killings and is following in the footsteps?

    Source: Instagram (Trejo), Instagram (Melton)

  • How ‘Eternals’ Cosmic Energy May Connect to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’s Adam Warlock

    How ‘Eternals’ Cosmic Energy May Connect to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’s Adam Warlock

    After a long wait, we finally got our first look at Eternals. The trailer offers a closer look at how cosmic energy works within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It acts like golden fleece that is the basis of their abilities and can serve different purposes. Thena can create weapons out of it, such as the sword we briefly see. Sersi seems to summon water as the cosmic energy flows through the ground. Even Makkari’s superspeed leaves the golden lines in a similar design that Quicksilver did in Avengers: Age of Ultron. In a way, it seems to allude that most supernatural abilities might have close ties to the Eternals through this mystical, all-encompassing power. The MCU puts a strong emphasis on energy types and connecting them to specific colors, such as the prominence of purple in Black Panther’s technology. As such, it could add more context to a character tease that has yet to pay off who shares that color scheme.

     

    The Eternals": Erste Bilder im großen Marvel-Trailer | film.at

     
    The color gold hasn’t played a considerable role in the franchise. Well, there is one exception. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 introduced us to the Sovereign. They are a genetically engineered race that lives on a collective of planets. Now, you might remember that every member of this alien race has one thing in common, their skin is pure gold. They also utilize advanced technology painted in the color due to their strong belief in the purity they reflect. The color also plays an integral role in the birthing cocoons that brings this alien race to life. 

    We have to keep in mind that Adam originally was the holder of the Soul Stone. Just like the MCU’s Vision held the Mind Stone, it was implanted on his forehead and had a deep connection to his abilities. As the stones got destroyed in Avengers: Endgame, it was uncertain if Adam’s entire origin would change. He wasn’t originally part of the Sovereign but created by the Enclave, a group of human scientists, as the perfect human in the comics. So, the new direction of the films and the golden look may connect him to that cosmic energy. We never learn of their creators in the film, and it wouldn’t be too crazy to assume the Eternals or even Celestials had some play in that.

     

    Guardians of the Galaxy: All of Adam Warlock's Powers & Abilities, Ranked

     

    As such, the golden cosmic energy we see throughout Eternals may be the basis of this alien race. If Sersi can let water flow from cosmic energy, its potential could seem limitless. So, they tested out ways to create a new form of life that ended up becoming its collective over time. The cocoon we see in the Guardians‘ post-credit sequence could be his body getting weaved out of cosmic energy into the perfect being of Ayesha’s vision. Little does she know, the Sovereign queen is playing with powers she can’t control and may lead to Adam breaking free from that race. Eternals is introducing us to the energy that will have a larger role moving forward. Perhaps the golden cosmic energy will face its silver counterpoint known as Power Cosmic in the future as well. Instead of seeking the stones, he becomes an entity of pure cosmic energy seeking its opposite to unite against a larger threat.

  • CW Picks Up ‘Naomi’ Series and Passes on ‘Black Lightning’ Spin-Off

    CW Picks Up ‘Naomi’ Series and Passes on ‘Black Lightning’ Spin-Off

    The year 2019 marked the debut of yet another original character from Brian Michael Bendis, Naomi. He is best known for creating characters like Jessica Jones, Miles Morales, Ironheart, and Daisy Johnson. The story of his latest work followed the bright, young mind of Naomi. She slowly discovers that something larger at play going on in her small town of Port Oswego. The mystery expanded as Naomi began to dig deeper and deeper to discover just where she really came from, as she begins to develop abilities that rival even the might of Superman.

    It was announced late last year that Ava DuVernay had begun development on a series surrounding the character for the CW network, writing and serving as executive producer on the series alongside Jill Blankenship. The project received a pilot order from the network and quickly jumped into production as it rounded out its cast. It’s now been confirmed that the CW has picked up the superhero drama to series. It’s currently unknown how many episodes the season will run and no timeframe for release has been given. DuVernay shared her enthusiasm on Twitter about the series pick-up:

    https://twitter.com/ava/status/1396894030533775360?s=20

    For those unfamiliar with the character of Naomi and interested in her story, the best place to start would be Naomi issues #1-6. Naomi joins Bendis’ run on Young Justice in issue 10 and remains on the team till its end on issue #20. Naomi joins a packed roster alongside Stargirl, Superman and Lois, Batwoman, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow. Alongside the news of a series pickup, the CW has confirmed that they’ve passed on the planned Painkiller series that was set to spin-off Black Lightning as the series reaches its end.

    Source: THR, Twitter

  • RUMOR: Square Enix and Team Ninja Developing a ‘Nioh’-Inspired ‘Final Fantasy’ Spin-Off

    RUMOR: Square Enix and Team Ninja Developing a ‘Nioh’-Inspired ‘Final Fantasy’ Spin-Off

    Square-Enix has started to expand its franchises with Marvel’s Avengers, Tomb Raider, Nier, and many more. Still, at the heart of the companies history lies the iconic Final Fantasy franchise. It has seen a resurgence as of late with the help of last year’s Final Fantasy VII Remake release and the reveal of Final Fantasy XVI. As E3 is just around the corner, we are seeing various rumors hit the web and one that may hint at one more entry in the classic franchise getting added to the latest console generation.

    Fanbyte revealed that a spin-off titled Final Fantasy Origin is in development alongside Team Ninja, who are the masterminds behind Ninja Gaiden, Nioh, and another Final Fantasy spin-off Dissidia NT. It is described as a Souls or Nioh-inspired game that’ll be They also go on to say that it’ll be an exclusive entry for PlayStation 5 and will be released on PC later. They claim even the logo and demo plans have leaked that would confirm its release at E3. The demo is currently titled “Stranger in Paradise,” which is common for gaming titles to avoid it leaking early. There are also plans to release a public alpha this summer.

    It is uncertain how far along the game is, but if there is a demo ready they might be eyeing a 2022 release. The 16th entry in the franchise might need some time as they promised an ambitious story. Now, the title also could hint at an action-RPG retelling of the original first two entries that were published under the Final Fantasy Origins banner on the original PlayStation. It would be an interesting idea to bring the original games into the modern age. Yet, it could also just be the franchise’s return to its fantastical roots. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait for too long.

    Source: Fanbyte

  • Timothée Chalamet Joins Warner Bros.’ ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ Prequel

    Timothée Chalamet Joins Warner Bros.’ ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ Prequel

    It looks like Warner Bros. wants to bring back a cinematic and literary classic, as they are currently developing a prequel focused on Roald Dahl‘s Willy Wonka. Deadline has revealed that the production company and Roald Dahl Story Co.’s will explore the adventures of a young Willy Wonka before he created his iconic chocolate factory. It will feature musical numbers and continue the musical theme of the original film. That is not all, as Timothée Chalamet has been cast in the titular role of the crazy chocolatier. He has been in negotiation for some time, but as he will show off his singing and dancing skills, they needed to find time for training to ensure he can prep for the production. The film will be directed by Paul King based on a screenplay by Simon Farnaby. The script was also developed by prior writers Simon Rich, Simon Stephenson, Jeff Nathanson, and Steven Levenson.

    It will be the third adaption of the classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after Gene Wilder‘s 1971 version and then Johnny Depp in 2005. This incarnation of the famous childhood classic will be the first not to follow the story of Charlie Bucket. It is uncertain which direction they will take with this “origin story.” We could explore his childhood and what inspired him to take on the iconic mantle, or we’ll get to see a man explore the world and uncover candies that no one has ever seen before. At this point, anything is possible.

    Source: Deadline

  • Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis Join FX’s ‘Shogun’

    Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis Join FX’s ‘Shogun’

    It looks like FX found its leading duo for the upcoming adaptation of James Clavell‘s Shogun novel. Variety reports that Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis will play the lead roles for the adaptation that’ll see two ambitious men come together in feudal Japan. English sailor John Blackthorne shipwrecks in Japan and meets the land’s daimyo Lord Toranaga. The only casting missing is for the mysterious female samurai Lady Mariko, whose casting may be revealed in the coming weeks.

    The series was announced during Disney’s Investors conference and was confirmed to also release on Disney’s Hulu streaming service. It was described as Game of Thrones in feudal Japan, which is an interesting concept. Tim Van Patten, the producer behind Boardwalk Empire, is producing the series that will be developed by Counterpart‘s Justin Marks. His wife, Rachel Kondo, will serve as a supervising producer. Marks might be better known for his work on Disney’s live-action Jungle Book.

    The series originally already entered a phase of pre-production before getting halted. With the casting underway, it seems nothing is stopping the production from heading to Japan to bring the mini-series to life. The casting is a good sign for the series’ work, as Sanada has recently been on a hot streak with his work on Army of the Dead, Mortal Kombat, Westworld, and many more. Jarvis might be familiar to fans of Raised by Wolves and Peaky Blinders but also appeared in Lady Macbeth and Calm With Horses. It’ll be interesting to see how they bring this iconic book to the small screen.

    Source: Variety, SlashFilm

  • Sony Currently Not Developing a ‘God of War’ Film or Series

    Sony Currently Not Developing a ‘God of War’ Film or Series

    Sony is currently on a new high developing film or TV series based on their most popular franchises. The new direction will be kicked off with the Tom Holland-led Uncharted film. We also already heard of a TV series based on Twisted Metal and the recent hit Ghost of Tsushima getting a film treatment. Of course, it led to speculation that some of their other classic IPs would also get some cinematic love moving forward, but it looks like one project remains a pure gaming property for now. In a New York Times article on the resurgence of gaming adaptations, Sony’s spokesman confirms that a God of War adaptation is currently not in development.

    So, the question is why aren’t they developing something surrounding one of their most popular franchises? There could be multiple reasons as the next entry is around the corner. Sony might not want to cause any confusion with the franchises’ move towards Nordic mythology while any adaptations return to their Greek roots. It would be a clever way to help newcomers to the franchise explore the character’s origins.

    As the article states, it doesn’t exclude that a project might be in the pipeline later down the line. There is a good chance we could potentially see them start development at a later time, as they will focus on current projects. Ghost of Tsushima, Uncharted, Twisted Metal, and what other projects are kind development might take up enough time. A project recreating the Greek pantheon might be quite costly and better off kept if other investments pay off.

    Source: NY Times